European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Annulus fibrosus (AF) tissue engineering is gathering increasing interest for the development of strategies to reduce recurrent disc herniation (DH) rate and to increase the effectiveness of intervertebral disc regeneration strategies. This study evaluates the use of a bioactive microfibrous poly(L-lactide) scaffold releasing Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β1 (PLLA/TGF) for the repair and regeneration of damaged AF. ⋯ PLLA/TGF scaffold induced an anabolic stimulus on AFCs, mimicking the ECM three-dimensional environment of AF tissue. This bioactive scaffold showed encouraging results that allow envisaging an application for AF tissue engineering strategies and AF repair after discectomy for the prevention of recurrent DH.
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Comparative Study
The effect of standard and low-modulus cement augmentation on the stiffness, strength, and endplate pressure distribution in vertebroplasty.
Vertebroplasty restores stiffness and strength of fractured vertebral bodies, but alters their stress transfer. This unwanted effect may be reduced by using more compliant cements. However, systematic experimental comparison of structural properties between standard and low-modulus augmentation needs to be done. This study investigated how standard and low-modulus cement augmentation affects apparent stiffness, strength, and endplate pressure distribution of vertebral body sections. ⋯ Augmentation connecting both endplates significantly strengthened and stiffened vertebral body sections also with low-modulus cement. A trend of reduced pressure concentrations above/below the cement was observed with low-modulus cement.
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Multicenter Study
Effectiveness of a bone substitute (CERAMENT™) as an alternative to PMMA in percutaneous vertebroplasty: 1-year follow-up on clinical outcome.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of an injectable and partly absorbable calcium bone cement (CERAMENT™, Bone Support, Sweden) in the treatment of osteoporotic or traumatic vertebral fractures by percutaneous vertebroplasty. ⋯ Data show that CERAMENT can be a substitute of PMMA in the treatment of osteoporotic and traumatic vertebral fractures, especially in young patients.